8 suspected militants held

Detectives of police claimed to have arrested seven suspected militants belonging to Jama'atul Muslemin in the city's Adabar and Bhashantek areas.

From their possession they also seized books, a laptop and cellphones containing articles that “misinterpret Islam”.

Police said the arrestees are members of militant organisation Jama'atul Muslemin, a secret group formed several years back by some members of banned organisation Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

No further information was available about Jama'atul Muslemin.

The arrestees are Syed Sadman Chowdhury, 26, Matiur Rahman alias Abu Sumia, 43, Ashiqur Rahman, 32, Azimul Haque alias Jion, 31, Sabbir Ahmed, 34, Abdur Rahim Shikder, 42, and Kamal Hossain, 40.

Although the militant suspects were arrested on April 30, police disclosed the news yesterday.

A team of Detective Branch of Police first arrested Sadman in the afternoon from an Adabar house.

Later that night, with information gleaned from Sadman, the DB team raided a madrasa at Bhashantek and arrested the other six. 

DB Assistant Commissioner Shamsul Arefin said they made the arrests based on intelligence. A case has already been filed against the arrestees under the Anti-Terrorism Act with Adabar Police Station.

Meanwhile, Rapid Action Battalion claimed to have arrested a member of banned militant outfit Ansar al-Islam on April 30 from Jatrabari area. A team of Rab-10 arrested Karri Mahmud alias Mahmud Hasan, 26, from Signboard area and from his possession they seized "Jihadi books" and training manual of the organisation, according to a press release issued by the Rab. Mahmud is accused in two cases.